Campanian Politics and Poetics in Silius Italicus’ Punica

This article discusses the references to Campania in Silius Italicus’ Punica and the prominent role of the region in the Capua episode in book 11. Campania is underscored as a place within Italy where politics and poetic activity intertwine to promote the region as a birthplace of prominent politicians and as a locus of otium for poetic activity. In addition, the synergy between Capua and Rome, anachronistically foreshadowed by the poet, seems to question the appearance of a seamless Italian unity, thus locating the seeds of Rome’s decline in the Second Punic War.